Jake Gyllenhaal Talks About “NIGHTCRAWLER!" See Why He Deserves an Oscar Nomination!

Tuesday, October 28, 2014, 09:54 PMPosted by Manny

I love, love, love Jake Gyllenhaal! And I love him especially more after seeing “Nightcrawler.” The Oscar-nominated actor immersed himself into the role of Lou Bloom, an unemployed man who suddenly finds a new career by being a stringer – a freelance journalist who shoots reports and gets paid for each piece of published work.

From his looks to his mannerisms (Those large beady eyes!), Gyllenhaal went all method on us and it paid off! He anchors the movie from start to finish and it’s amazing that we trust his unreliable character. Yup, this guy deserves an Oscar nomination for Best Actor!

In this interview, we talked about his interest for the movie, why he signed on to not only star but produce the movie, how he prepared/researched, and the film’s 70’s conventions. And I did ask him about his hand famously hurt during the making of the movie. Take a look at my interview with the fantastic Jake Gyllenhaal for “Nightcrawler.”

Official “Nightcrawler” synopsis:

NIGHTCRAWLER is a pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story. (c) Open Road

I am loving Rene Russo in “Nightcrawler.” She plays the role of Nina Romina, the fierce News Director for KWLA. She’s tough with years of experience behind her but she finally meets her match when Lou Bloom (the wonderful Jake Gyllenhaal) enters the picture.

And I am very happy to see Russo not playing her typical roles – the wife, girlfriend, or heck, Thor’s momma. I sat down with the actress to let her know about my love for “Nightcrawler” and her wonderful performance.

In this interview, we talked about her attraction to making the movie and her role, and the sad state of local news. Take a look at my fun interview with the lovely and talented Rene Russo.

Official “Nightcrawler” synopsis:

NIGHTCRAWLER is a pulse-pounding thriller set in the nocturnal underbelly of contemporary Los Angeles. Jake Gyllenhaal stars as Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of L.A. crime journalism. Finding a group of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires, murder and other mayhem, Lou muscles into the cut-throat, dangerous realm of nightcrawling -- where each police siren wail equals a possible windfall and victims are converted into dollars and cents. Aided by Rene Russo as Nina, a veteran of the blood-sport that is local TV news, Lou thrives. In the breakneck, ceaseless search for footage, he becomes the star of his own story. (c) Open Road

Is "John Wick" the Best Keanu Reeves Movie Since "The Matrix?" Take a Look!

Friday, October 24, 2014, 01:56 PMPosted by Manny

Keanu Reeves returns to the big screen for “John Wick,” a smashing action film where the actor plays a reluctant assassin. You may say, “I’ve seen that all before,” but there’s more! See why I’m saying “John Wick” is the best Keanu movie since “The Matrix.” Okay, “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.” HA!

Official “John Wick” Synopsis

An ex-hitman comes out of retirement to track down the gangsters that took everything from him. With New York City as his bullet-riddled playground, JOHN WICK (Keanu Reeves) is a fresh and stylized take on the "assassin genre". (C) Lionsgate

And the Oscar season is off and running! Nominees for the 24th annual Gotham Independent Film Awards have been unleased and Richard Linklater's fantastic "Boyhood" led the pack with four nods including Best Feature, Best Actor for Ethan Hawke, Best Actress for Patricia Arquette, and Breakthrough Actor for Ellar Coltrane.

We'll find out the winners of the 2014 Gotham Awards on December 1st! Here's the complete list of nominees:Best Feature

Justin Simien for Dear White People (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)

Best Actor*

Bill Hader in The Skeleton Twins (Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions)

Ethan Hawke in Boyhood (IFC Films)

Oscar Isaac in A Most Violent Year (A24 Films)

Michael Keaton in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Miles Teller in Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)

* The 2014 Best Actor nominating panel also voted to award a special Gotham Jury Award jointly to Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, and Channing Tatum for their ensemble performance in Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics).

Glenn Kenny,Critic, RogerEbert.com; author, Anatomy of an Actor: Robert De Niro

David Rooney, Film & Theater Critic, The Hollywood Reporter

Elizabeth Weitzman, Film Critic, New York Daily News

Nominating Committee for Breakthrough Actor:

Sam Adams, Editor of Criticwire, Indiewire

A.A. Dowd, Film Editor, The A. V. Club

Sheila O’Malley, Film Critic, RogerEbert.com

Ronnie Scheib, Film Critic, Variety

Stephen Whitty, Film Critic, Newark Star-Ledger

Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ Grant

For the fourth consecutive year, IFP is proud present the euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers ‘Live the Dream’ grant, a $25,000 cash award for an alumna of IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. This grant aims to further the careers of emerging women directors by supporting the completion, distribution and audience engagement strategies of their first feature film.

Nicholas Sparks, for better or for worse, is a prolific writer about love – familial (which is often the case) and unrequited love (which is often the case). So is his new film, “The Best of Me” one of the best in Sparks’ oeuvre? Or is it horrible? I sat down with the author to find out if he envisions a project cinematically while writing it, how is the movie compared to his novel, and how he’s the current king of love! Take a look at my fun but short (they’re running out of time!) interview.

Official “The Best of Me” Synopsis

Based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of a beloved friend. Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they've never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances. . (c) Relativity